9" Guru Padmasambhava Sculpture | Nepalese Copper Statue
$744
Includes any tariffs and taxes
Only 1 available
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| Specifications |
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MIS582 |
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Copper with Gold Plated |
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Height: 9 inch |
| Width: 6 inch | |
| Depth: 4 inch | |
 |
Weight 1.50 kg |
| Delivery and Return Policies |
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Ships in 1-3 days |
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Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days |
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Free Delivery |
Easy Returns
Fully Insured
100% Handmade
The portrait of Guru Rinpoche is
characterized by his distinctive Mahasandhi gaze, with wide-open eyes that hold
profound significance. His luxurious locks of hair often reveal the subtle
reflection of the Bodhisattva figure. Guru
Rinpoche is typically depicted in a seated position, with his legs crossed in
the royal posture. His countenance conveys a sense of serenity and a warm
smile. His blessings are bestowed with grandeur, and he radiates the splendor
of both major and minor marks of enlightenment.
On his head, Guru
Rinpoche wears a crown adorned with a five-petal lotus, each petal representing
the three kayas. The crown also incorporates five colors symbolizing the five
pearls of wisdom, a sun and moon signifying skilful means and wisdom, a Vajra
representing indestructible Samadhi, and a virtuous feather signifying the
realization of the highest view.
The Glorious Guru Rinpoche: A Symbol of Enlightenment
This magnificent sculpture depicts Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the "precious guru." Revered as the second Buddha, he is credited with establishing Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century. His arrival in Tibet marked a pivotal moment, where he is said to have subdued local demons and spirits, transforming them into protectors of the Dharma. This exquisite statue, crafted from copper and finished with a lustrous gold plating, captures his serene yet powerful presence, making it a truly captivating piece for any spiritual practitioner or admirer of Tibetan art. ––––––––––Iconography and Symbolism
Guru Padmasambhava is depicted seated in the lotus posture, a symbol of purity and spiritual ascension. His serene countenance radiates wisdom and compassion. He wears a royal crown, signifying his enlightened status and his reign over the spiritual realm. Adorning his body are intricate necklaces and garments, indicative of his royal lineage and the opulence of his divine nature. In his right hand, he holds a vajra, a ritualistic object symbolizing indestructibility and the power to cut through ignorance. His left hand rests in his lap, holding a skull-cup filled with nectar of immortality. Atop the vajra is a phurba, a ritualistic dagger used to conquer negative forces. The faces adorning the phurba represent the tantric deities invoked for protection and subjugation of obstacles. The feather atop his crown symbolizes the mastery of the air element and his ability to traverse realms with ease. ––––––––––
Artistic Craftsmanship and Cultural Significance
This sculpture is a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of Nepalese artisans. The detailed ornamentation, the serene expression, and the dynamic pose all speak to a deep understanding of Buddhist iconography and artistic tradition. The use of copper as the base material, combined with the opulent gold plating, lends the statue a timeless aura of sacredness and prestige. In Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Padmasambhava is considered the manifestation of all Buddhas, a guide who leads sentient beings to liberation. His teachings, known as "terma" or hidden treasures, continue to be rediscovered and practiced, offering profound insights into the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment. This sculpture serves as a tangible representation of his enduring legacy and a source of inspiration for devotion and spiritual practice.How are Nepalese copper statues made?
Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique
small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two
thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws
influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and
therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the
icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures
evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some
characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other
pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual
features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and
ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have
tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual
purposes in their temples and monasteries.
Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process involves many steps and requires skilled artists.
The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills otherwise fine features will be lacking.
Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so that the wax flows away when it is heated.
Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process involves many steps and requires skilled artists.
The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills otherwise fine features will be lacking.
Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so that the wax flows away when it is heated.
At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is
obtained.
This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed and the statue within is revealed.
This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed and the statue within is revealed.
The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools.
It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.
Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold finish.
Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold finish.
The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique
for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details. Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.
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